Process and apparatus for universal joint disassembly and assembly

ABSTRACT

An adjustable press with vibratile characteristics and a symmetrical frame structure locates a compression means along the longitudinal axis of each of a plurality of symmetrical bearing sleeves and resilient lock rings. The sleeves are positioned with a press fit in a support therefor in a U-joint casing and, in operative position, held in place by the lock rings. The press is operated to apply vibration as well as a shearing force to each of such resilient lock rings to separate each of such sleeves from the U-joint casing. The press also supports a symmetrically located second compression means for moving and locating longitudinally spaced apart bearing sleeves in longitudinally spaced apart supports therefor with a press fit.

United States Patent [1 1 Ferguson Jan. 22, 1974 [54] PROCESS ANDAPPARATUS FOR 720,672 2/1903 Christiansen 72/454 UNI E JOINT DISASSEMBLYAND 3,224,086 12/1965 Balamuth 1 29/D1G. 46

' 2,132,947 10/1938 Gagne v 72/454 ASSEMBLY 1,268,541 Benedict 29/242[75] Inventor: Willie Douglas Ferguson, Borger,

Tex.

[73] Assignee: Scott E. Neil, Jr., Salida, Colo.

[22] Filed: Apr. 12, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 132,967

[52] US. Cl 29/251, 29/256, 29/200 H, 29/434 [51] Int. Cl 1323p 19/02[58] Field of Search.. .29/434, 242, 244, 256, 239, 29/426, 258, 264,251, 200 R, 200 B, 200 D, 200 H, 212R; 269/9, 10, 172, 75, 77,84,85,104,111,155,156; 100/199, 193, 206; 59/7, 9; 72/454, 455

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,447,769 3/1923 Dover eta1. 29/251 2,642,905 6/1953 Hewat 2,799,083 7/1957 Speers 3,529,9429/1970 Pitner 3,429,021 2/1969 Spies 29/434 Primary Exa minerCharles W.Lanham Assistant ExaminerD. C. Crane Attorney, Agent, or Firm-ElySilverman [5 7] ABSTRACT An adjustable press with vibratilecharacteristics and a symmetrical frame structure locates a compressionmeans along the longitudinal axis of each of a plurality of symmetricalbearing sleeves and resilient lock rings. The sleeves are positionedwith a press fit in a support therefor in a U-joint casing and, inoperative position, held in place by the lock rings.

The press is operated to apply vibration as well as a shearing force toeach of such resilient lock rings to separate each of such sleeves fromthe U-joint casing. The press also supports a symmetrically locatedsecond compression means for moving and locating longitudinally spacedapart bearing sleeves in longitudinally spaced apart supports thereforwith a press fit.

4 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures as I AAAA AAAA PAIEME JAN 2 m4 SHEEI 1 BF 4INVENTOR. W. D. FERGUSON 54 AT TOR NEY PATENTEDJANZPW 3,786,544

SHEU 3 BF 4 ISOA F/G. 7 A,

INVENTOR.

W. D. FERGUSON BY 6 AT TORNEY PMENTEB JAN 2 2 VII saw u BF 4 FIG. 8

II-IIIIII 4 \\\\\r F/G. IO

INVENTOR. W. D. FERGUSON ATTO R N EY Y 1 PROCESS AND APPARATUS FORUNIVERSAL JOINT DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.Field of the Invention The field of art to which this invention pertainsis metal-working and more particularly assembling and disassemblingapparatus, with a central screw and work engaging arms along or parallelto the screw.

2. The prior Art Universal joints or U-joints for automotive use areconstructed to withstand substantial torque stresses and are,accordingly, so highly resistant to disassembly that it is conventionalto replace the entire U-joint unit when one portion thereof, usually onebearing, becomes sufficiently worn to create undesirable vibration whenin operation.

The elastic lock rings located between the U-joint casing and thebearing sleeves therein are particularly designed for permanent locationof the bearing sleeve or cap in its position in the U-joint casing.Attempts to press or beat out the U-joint cross are resisted by suchresilient lock rings and are unsuccessful. Notwithstanding the cost ofsuch U-joint units and the necessity for their replacement no reliablerapid economical apparatus or process for disassembly and assembly ofautomotive U-joints has been available.

It is an object of this invention to provide a reliable economical andrapid method and apparatus for disassembly and assembly of automotiveU-joints.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A sturdy rigid frame extending in one plane andstructurally symmetrical about a second plane at right angles thereto isprovided with a first press means and an anvil means with a commonlongitudinal axis located along the intersection of the first and secondplane. The anvil has an orifice therethrough larger than the head of thebearing cap to be removed from the U- joint and the press means has asmaller diameter drive head than the bearing sleeve whereby the pressdrive head can pass through the hole in the U-joint casing holding thebearing cap and vibrate the locking joint therebetween as well as drivethe U-joint cross arm bearing sleeve out of the hole provided thereforin the U-joint casing.

The frame is also provided with a second press having a head larger thanthe bearing sleeve to be replaced in a U-joint casing, whereby to pressthe bearing sleeve no deeper than the surface of the casing into whichit is desired to locate such bearing sleeve; such second press islocated with its longitudinal axis along the intersection of a thirdplane perpendicular to said one and said second planes and the framestructure is symmetrical about such third plane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front and partly sectionalview of the apparatus 19 along the irregular section lA1B-1C-1- D-l E-1Fof FIG. 7 as seen along direction of arrow 1G of FIGS. 4 and 7 in anearly stage of disassembly of a U-joint 31 thereby.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of Zone 2A of FIG. 1 along verticalsection 2E-1D of FIG. 7.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of elements in Zone 2A of FIG. 1along section 2E-1D of FIG. 7 in a stage of disassembly a U-joint 31 byapparatus 19 which stage of disassembly follows the stage shown in FIGS.1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a broken away and sectional view of the apparatus 19 of FIG. 1as seen from above with the portion of frame 20 of apparatus 19 aboveplane 4A4A removed and the U-joint 31 in the position thereof ordisassembly as in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view in Zone 5A of FIG. 1 along section 2E-1D ofFIG. 7 in a stage of disassembly of U- joint unit 31 by apparatus 19which stage is subsequent to that stage shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view in Zone 5A of FIG. 1 along section 2E-1D ofFIG. 7 in a stage of disassembly of U- joint unit 31 by apparatus 19which stage is subsequent to that shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an end view along direction of arrow 7A of FIGS. 1 and 4 ofthe apparatus 19.

FIG. 8 is a front view of apparatus 19 along the direction of arrow 1-0of FIGS. 4 and 7 and a partly broken away U-joint 31 during an initialstage in the assembly thereof by apparatus 19, the U-joint yoke beingshown in section along vertital plane 2E-1D of FIG. 7.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are, respectively, showings of the structure inZEeDAofFIG. 8 during succ ssiVe stages of assembly of a U-joint 31 by theapparatus 19 following the stage shown in FIG. 8.

FIGS. 1 and 4-10 are drawn to scale.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The apparatus 19 comprises asturdy rectangular frame 20, a first top vertical reassembly bolt unit26 and a second, side, horizontal disassembly bolt unit 27 and adisassembly anvil 28 in operative combination.

The frame 20 (the dimensions of which are given in Table I herebelow) isrectangular and comprises a left vertical member 21, a right verticalmember 22, a bottom horizontal member 23, and a top horizontal member 24in cooperative combination, the frame being composed of a first sideframe member, a second side frame member extending at right angles tothe first side frame member and firmly joined thereto, a third sideframe member joined to said second side frame member at a distance fromsaid first frame side member and parallel to said first frame sidemember, a fourth frame side member joined to said first frame sidemember and to said third side member, said fourth frame side memberbeing parallel to the second side member and having the same tensilestrength as said second frame side member. Each of the members 21, 22,23 and 24 is a sturdy straight solid steel member of rectangular crosssection. The members 2124 are firmly joined at their ends as 21A, 22A23A and 24A to form a resilient yet sturdy structure of great tensilestrength. The frame member 22 with the press means attached theretoforms an integral vibrating unit with the remainder of frame 20.

The apparatus 19 is arranged to be operated to disassemble a U-joint as31 and also to reassemble a U-joint, as when after the parts thereof mayhave been repaired and/or replaced.

The U-joint 31 comprises a rear cross 32, a front cross 33 and a casing34 in operative connection.

The casing 34 is a rigid longitudinally extending member with a frontyoke 71, a rear yoke 72 each firmly attached to and extending outwardlyfrom a central rigid ring 61. The crosses 31 and 32 are rotatably yetfirmly supported in the yokes 71 and 72, respectively.

The front cross 33 comprises, in operative combination, a top verticalcylindrical arm 35, a bottom cylindrical arm 36, a left cylindrical arm37 and a right cylindrical arm 38 and a body 39 all firmly connectedtogether, with their bearings.

The top and bottom arms 35 and 36 are sturdy solid cylinders and coaxialwith each other and firmly joined to the body 39; the left and rightarms 37 and 38 are also rigid solid cylinders identical in size andshape to arms 35 and 36 and firmly attached to the body 39. Arms 37 and38 are coaxial with each other and at right angles to axis of arms 35and 36. The axis of arms 35 and 36 is co-planar with the axis of arms 37and 38, (the axis being the central longitudinal axis).

The base as 30 of each arm as 37 is firmly fixed to the periphery of therigid body portion 39; body portion 39 is a thick sturdy short flatcylinder to which the arms 35, 36, 37, and 38 are firmly connected.

Each arm has a free or outer end, as end 95' on arm 35, end 96 on arm36, end 97 on arm 37, and end 98 on arm 38, that is bevelled or taperedin the direction away from the body 39.

The rear cross 32 is composed of a body 139 and arms as 135, 137 and 138identical to the body 39, and arms 35, 37 and 38 respectively, andarm136. Each of the arms of each of the crosses 32 and 33 such as the leftarm 37 of the front cross 32 is provided with a bearing sleeve as 107;Le, a bearing sleeve 105 on arm 35, a bearing sleeve 106 on arm 36 and abearing sleeve 108 on arm 38 are identical in size and shape andmaterial to bearing sleeve 107 on arm 37. Each arm of each corss as 35,36, 37 and 38 on cross 32 has a set of roller bearings, as set 100 onarm 35, set 101 on arm 36, set 102 on arm 37 (and set 103 not shown onarm 38), adjacent thereto.

Each of the roller bearings 100, 101, 102 and 103 is located within abearing sleeve therefor as 105, 106, 107 and 108 (for each of arms 35,36, 37 and 38) respectively. Each sleeve of the unit 31 as 107, has arigid circular cap as 117 on sleeve 107 (and cap 118 on sleeve 108, cap115 on sleeve 105, cap 116 on sleeve 106) which cap is firmly fixed tothe periphery of such sleeve.

Each of the bearing sleeves and its cap is firmly located in a holetherefor in the casing 34 of U-joint 31.

The U-joint casing 34 comprises a front left lug 64, a front right lug62, a rear left lug 66 and a rear right lug 68. The front right lug 62has therein a hole 63 therein, the front left lug 64 has therein a hole65. Holes 63 and 65 are coaxial and form a press fit with the bearingsleeve caps 108 and 107, respectively; these relationships of the twoarms on the front cross are exemplary of the relationship of the holesin the lugs for each of the other roller bearings and arms of U-joint31. Thus, the rear right lug 66 has a rear lug hole 67 and the rear leftlug has therein a rear left bottom hole 69 which engage the bearings forthe arms as 137 and 138 of the rear cross 32.

The front right lug 62 and the front left lug 64 are both joined attheir rear to the front end of a rigid sturdy hollow ring 61 at thefront of that ring 6l; the front right lug 62 and the front left lug 64form a front yoke7l. The rear right lug 68 and the rear left lug 66 arejoined at their front ends to the rear end of the ring 61 and form therear yoke 72. A drive shaft (not shown) is, in the conventional manner,operatively yet removably connected to a rigid drive shaft yoke 74 whichyoke supports one set of opposing armsone of which is 135-attached tothe rear cross 32 as shown in FIG. 4.

Such drive shaft is usually removed from at least one end of the unit 31prior to the assembly and disassembly operations herein described usingthe apparatus 19. Also, the method and procedure for release of arms 37and 38 from the arms 62 and 64 of yoke 71, which method and procedureare shown in some detail in the FIGS. l-7 is the same as the method ofrelease and procedure for release of the arms on the rear cross 32 fromthe yokes, as 72 and 74, to which the arms of such other cross isattached as well as the method and procedure for release of arms 35 and36 of cross 33 to the yoke to which such arms are attached.

The yoke which is attached to the portion of the drive shaft to whichthe cross arms 35 and 36 may be attached prior to the disassembly ofjoint 31 from such yoke are not shown in the figures herein for purposeof clarity of the figures as the method of release of arms 37 and 38from the arms 62 and 64 of yoke 71 is the same method of release as themethod of release of other arms as 35 and 36 of U-joint 31 from the armsof such other yoke, not shown.

Each cylindrical sleeve as 107 on the front and rear cross of unit 31has an annular externally open locking groove as 83 uniform in size allalong its perimeter: each cylindrical hole for support and location of abearing sleeve, as hole 65, in each lug, as 64, has an internally openannular groove as 84 of uniform size all along its perimeter. 1n theusual operative position of each sleeve (as 107) and the lug therefore(as 64) supporting each such bearing sleeve the grooves 83 and 84 matchto form a hollow toroidal chamber or annular hollow ring of a uniformcircular cross-section. Cylindrical channels and 91 each extend indiameterically opposite directions radially from the internally opengroove 84 through the body of each lug, as 64, of each yoke on the frame34 of the unit 31. An elastic tough resilient water and grease insolubleplastic with a high melting point, or thermosetting, is injected intoone of the channels as 91 and fills it and the toroidal chamber (orring) and the channel as 90: this results in a solid annular lock ringmass in the annular space formed by the grooves as 83 and 84 as well asfilling of each of the channels as 90 and 91 with such plastic resilientmaterial, as nylon 66, which masses are continuous with lock ring 95; anipple, as 92 and 93, extends from and is continuous with each of thecylindrical masses of plastic in channels 90 and 91. During the normaloperation of the U-joint 31, each of the lock rings on each arm of eachcross, as lock ring 95 on sleeve 107 of arm 37 of cross 33 resists usualdisplacement of the bearing sleeve, as 107, the yoke lug, as 64,adjacent thereto due to operational stresses applied thereto.

The side disassembly unit 27 comprises, in operative combination,threaded journals 50A and 508, a bolt 54 and an anvil 28. The journal50A has an internally threaded portion 51A and an outer sleeve 52A whichsleeve is firmly fixed at its inner side (left as shown in FIG. 1) bywelding to the outer (right as shown in FIG. 1 surface of the rightvertical frame arm 22 at the circumference of a cylindrical hole 53 inand passing horixontally through arm 22. The journal 5118 has aninternally threaded portion 518 and an outer sleeve 52B and is firmlyfixed at its outer (right,as shown in FIG. 1) side by welding to theinner (or left as shown in PK]. 1) surface of the right vertical framearm 22 at the circumference of the cylindrical hole 53. The threadedportions 51A and 51B and cylindrical hole 53 are coaxial. Hole 53 has agreater diameter than the maximum diameter of the threads of the bolt54.Th'e bolt 54 is formed of steel and is sturdy and comprises a headhexagonal portion 55, a rigid threaded staff 56, and a cylindrical driveend 57. The staff 56 is helically threaded and those threads on staff 56match the threads in threaded portions 51A and 51B of journals 50A and50B and is coaxial therewith; the thread of staff 56 is greased andsmoothly rotatably fits the threaded portions 51A and 51B of journals50A and 508.

The drive end 57 is a solid cylinder continuous and integral with andcoaxial with the staff 56 and has a smaller diameter than the diameterof the bearing sleeve as 107 and 108 on the U-joint the unit 19 is usedto disassemble.

The anvil 28 comprises a rigid cylindrical tube or pipe: it has a rigidcylindrical wall 86 of uniform thickness along all of its perimeter andalong all of its length from its inner edge 78 to its outer edge 79.Wall 86 has a cylindrical inner wall surface 88. The inner cylindricalsurface 88 is smooth and bounds a cylindrical anvil interior space 87.The diameter of the surface 88 is slighly; i.e., 0.01 inch to 0.20 inchlarger, than the diameter of the bearing sleeves as 105-108 with whichthe apparatus 19 is used, and is definitely smaller (i.e., fromone-eighth inch to one-half inch) than the width of the yoke lug (49A to493) from which the bearing sleeve, as 107, is to be removed.

The wall 86 is coaxial with the bolt 54.

The arm 21 is provided with a hole therein and the anvil 28 fills thathole and the exterior of the anvil wall 86 is firmly attached, as bywelding at 85, 85' and 85" to arm 21. Rigid base plates 59 and 60 areattached firmly to the bottom of arm 23; bolts as 110, 111, 112 and 113serve to hold the frame to a work table as 114 for support ofthe-apparatus 19 during its use as herein described.

The top reassembly bolt unit 26 comprises, in operative combination;threaded journals 150A and 1508 and a bolt 154. The journal 150A has aninternally threaded portion 151A and an outer sleeve 152A which isfirmly fixed at its bottom, as by welding, to the upper surface of thetop horizontal frame arm 24 at the circumference of a cylindrical hole153; hole 153 passes through the frame arm 24. The journal 1508 has aninternally threaded portion 151B and an outer sleeve 1523 and is firmlyfixed at its outer surface, as by welding, to the bottom surface of topframe arm 24 around at the circumference of the cylindrical hole 153.The threaded portions 151A and 151B and cylindrical hole 153 arecoaxial. Hole 153 has a greater diameter than the maximim diameter ofthe threads of the bolt 154. The bolt 154 is formed of steel and issturdy and comprises a rear hexagonal portion 155, a rigid threadedstaff 156, bottom end 157 and a face plate 158. The staff 156 ishelically threaded and those threads on staff 156 match the threads inthe threaded portions of sleeves 151A and 15113 of journals 150A and15013.

The face plate 158 is a rigid circular plate with its lower end coaxialwith the extending perpendicular to the staff 156 and is firmly fixedthereto. The bottom of plate 158 is flat, wider than the threadedportion of staff 156 and wider than the diameter of the bearing sleevesas 105, 106, 107 and 108 of the U-joint, as 31, that the unit 26 is usedto assemble.

To set up the press for operation of disassembling a joint as 31, theframe 20 is firmly secured to a bench or work table 114 using aplurality of the mounting holes and screws, as 113 in plates 59 and 60.

The drive shaft and U-joint 31 are removed from the vehicle and theU-joint is positioned on the bench inside frame 20. A flexible wire orcord is passed around the arm 24, under ring 61 and around staff 156above plate 158: wire 120 is used to help support the U-joint 31 whilethe height of the U-joint is adjusted by rotating the head 155 andthreaded shaft 156 in threaded journals A and 15013.

The axis of a pair of cylindrical arms, as 37 and 38, on one cross, as33, of the U-joint 31 is brought into line with, i.e., into coaxialalignment with, the axis of staff 56 of bolt 54 and the axis of thecylindrical surface 88 in anvil 28 and the external surface of a yokelug, as 64, of the U-joint frame 34 is brought into contact with thecenter edge 78 of the tube or wall 86 of anvil 28. The axis of the crossarm, as 37, which arm is then adjacent-to the anvil 28 is coaxialtherewith. The drive end 57 of the bolt 54 is then brought into contactwith the cap 118 of the sleeve 108: then bolt 54 is forced leftwards (asin FIG. 1) while applied directly along the direction of thelongitudinal axis of coaxial staff 56, arms 37 and 38, and surface 88.Bolt 54 is so forced by a 10 inch long open end wrench applied to thebolt head hexagonal portion 55, to the limit of hand pressure-about 100poundsthere is then some very slight visible bending of the arm 23 butthe sleeves 107 and 108 do not move relative to the lugs 64 and 62,respectively.

While maintaining such stress on the bolt 54 and bearing sleeve head118, the head 55 of bolt 54 is then rapped sharply with a one poundhammer 58 directly along the direction of the longitudinal axis of thestaff 56 and axis of arms 37 and 38. There is a metallic clanking sound(at least two octaves higher than middle C) immediately followed by asharp crack sound indicating shear of the lock rings, as 95, and, aftersuch cracking sound, the sleeve 107, which is coaxial with thecylindrical surface 88 of anvil 28 and of smaller di ameter than thediameter of the hole 87 in anvil 28, comes to rest at a positiondisplaced (leftward as shown in FIGS. 13) relative to the arm 21 thanthe width of the groove 83: this movement does not occur unless the lugis firmly and directly against the hard face 78 of the anvil 28. Thehigh frequency and amplitude of the vibration of the arm 22 resultingfrom the rap of the one pound hammer relative to the fixed position ofthe lugs as 62 and 64 of yoke 71 of frame 34 of the U-joint 31 shearsthe nylon lock ring as 95 on each of the ring-like chambers between thebearing sleeve, as 107, and the yoke lug as 64 adjacent to such ring 95,and between the bearing sleeve as 108 and the yoke lug, as 62, adjacentto the corresponding ring between such sleeve and lug. Such a hammerblow directly on the cap 118 does not cause such shearing and increasedpressure of bolt 54 on cap 118 alone does not cause shearing of the lockrings as 95.

Thereafter with head 57 in contact with the bearing sleeve cap 118 thebolt 54 is further turned until the bearing sleeve cap is moved untilthe body 39 of the cross 31 contacts the right side of lug 64 as shownin FIG. the bolt 54 is then loosened (to right in FIG. 1) and theU-joint casing 34 removed from apparatus 19.

If the cap and sleeve thus moved outward of the lug 64 theretofore heldagainst the anvil 28 is not then freed from the lug 64, a small chiselmay be placed in the groove 83 and tapped lightly, whereupon the sleeve107 and its cap 117 and bearing 102 are removed from arm 37. Arm 37, isby this procedure (as shown in FIG. 5) positioned at a radially orlaterally displaced position from its normal operating position shown inFIG. 1 and arm 38 is moved centrally.

With cap 117 and sleeve 107 removed, casing 34 of joint 31 is rotated180 about the longitudinal axis of ring 61. The axis of arms 37 and 38is again brought into alignment with the axis of staff 56 and surface 88and the external surface of lug 62 (opposite to the one, 64, theretoforeso located) is brought into contact with the center edge 78 of the tubeor wall 86 of anvil 28. The axis of the arm 38, which arm is thenadjacent to anvil 28, is coaxial therewith.

The drive end 57 of the bolt 54 which drive end has a lesser diameterthan the diameter of cylindrical surface 88 in lug 64, is then broughtinto contact with the lateral end of arm 37 and turned clockwise (asseen from right to left in FIG. 1). This presses the arm 37 and thebearing sleeve 108 and cap 118 directly along the direction of thelongitudinal axis of the staff 56 and axis of cylindrical arms 37 and 38and cylindrical anvil wall 86 and moves the cross 33 leftward until, asshown in FIG. 6, the right edge of lug 62 is contacted thereby andbearing sleeve I08 and cap 118 extend substantially, i.e., overone-fourth inch, beyond the lateral edge of lug 62 as shown in FIG. 6.If the cap and sleeve are not then freed from the lug 62 a small chiselmay be placed in the groove for the locking ring, which groove is, like83, located in the sleeve 108 (corresponding to the sleeve 107 for arm37): light tapping against such chisel in such groove removes the sleeve108, cap 118 and bearings from the arm 38. Then arms 37 and 38 arereadily manipulated to pass through the groves I62 and 164 in the lugs62 and 64 and separate the cross 33 and the casing 34.

To set up the press for operation of assembling a joint as 31, the frameis firmly secured to a bench or work table 114 using a plurality of themounting holes and screws as IIO-I 13 in plates 59 and 60.

The drive shaft and U-joint 31 are removed from the vehicle and theU-joint is positioned on the bench inside the press frame 20 and thebottom edge of a yoke lug, as 64, of the U-joint casing 34 is broughtinto contact with the flat top of arm 23 of frame 20 with the axis ofthe cross arm, as 35, adjacent to the arm 23 perpendicular to the topsurface thereof. The arms 35 and 37 of cross as 33 are manipulatedthrough grooves 162 and 164 and located with arms 35 and 36 vertical inthe center of holes 63 and 65 of lugs 62 and 64, respectively. The end95 of arm 35 then rests on the top of frame arm 23.

The interior surface of sleeve 106 is coated with a thick (one-sixteenthinch) layer of grease. A set of roller bearings, I01, is located on theinterior surface of. the sleeve, I06, with its cap, 116. The thickcoating of grease serves to hold the bearings against'the interiorsurface of the sleeve I16.

The axis of the pair of cylindrical arms, 35 and 36, on the cross 33 ofthe U-joint 31 is brought into line with; i.e., into coaxial alignmentwith, the axis of staff 156 of bolt 154.

The sleeve 106, with the set of roller bearings 101 therein, is thenplaced over the slightly but definitely bevelled end 96 of the arm 36and pressed thereover by hand a short distance, and into the hole 65 inlug 64.

The bolt 154 is then turned so that the plate 158 on the bolt I54 isthen brought into contact with the cap 116 of the sleeve I06. Plate 158is then tightened against cap 116 by turning bolt I54 clockwise (as seenfrom above) by a 10 inch (between jaws) long open end wrench applied tothe bolt head hexagonal portion I55. This tightening is effected by handpressure of about 30 pounds and drives cap 116 directly along thedirection of the longitudinal axis of the staff 156 and axis of arms 35and 36 without canting, said first and third frame side members beingsubstantially unchanged dimensionally by tensile stress applied theretoby said second press means, until the plate 158 comes to rest againstthe top of the lug 64 and the top of the cap 116 is flush with the topof lug 64, as shown in FIG. 8.

In this position the end of arm 35 is in same plane as the outer surfaceof lug 62.

The bolt I54 is then loosened and moved upwardly about one inch to allowmovement of unit 31 and manipulation of the sleeve 105 between unit 31and the bolt 154, following which casing 34 of joint 31 is rotated 180about the longitudinal axis of ring 61 and the outer face of lug 64located on the top surface of arm 23.

The fit of the sleeve 106 in hole 65 of lug 64 holds the sleeve I06 andthe set of roller bearings I01 and the arm 36 coaxial and with theircommon axis vertical and arm 35 substantially coaxial with thecylindrical hole 63 in lug 62. The axis of arms 35 and 36 is againbrought into alignment with the (central longitudinal) axis of staff156.

The interior surface of the sleeve 105 is coated with a thick(one-sixteenth inch) layer of grease. A set of roller bearings 100 islocated against the interior surface of the sleeve I05 below its capI15: the thick layer of grease serves to hold the bearings against theinterior surface of sleeve 115.

The sleeve 105, with the set of bearings 100 therein, is then placedwithin hole 63 and over the slightly but definitely bevelled end 95 ofthe arm 35 and pressed thereover by hand a short distanceaboutone-fourth inch.

The plate 158 at the end of threaded staff 156 is then brought intocontact with the top surface of cap I15 as shown in FIG. 9 by rotatingthe bolt I54 and the bolt I54 is tightened against cap IIS (by turningbolt I54 clockwise as seen from above) by a wrench applied to bolt head155 by hand pressure: this action of plate 158 serves to directly drivecap and sleeve I05 and the arms 36 and 35 directly along the directionof the longitudinal axis of the staff 156 and the axis of arms 35 and 36without canting until the plate 158 comes to rest against the top of lug62 and the top of cap 115 is flush withthe .top of lug 62, as shown inFIG. 10.

After such assembly of the cross, fresh plastic may be injected into thechannel 90 (or 9I) of each lug as 64 (and 62) and a new lock ring sealas 95 created in each toroidal chamber therefor.

When steel lock rings are used on bearing sleeves to position themrelative to lugs as 62, application of the plate 158 by bolt 154 ordrive end 57 to the caps of such bearing sleeves frees metal lock ringsthereon for removal by lock ring pliers: after separate removal of eachof such-steel lock rings, the drive end 57 is applied to the bearingsleeves and caps(as for 107, I08, I17 and 118 on arms 37 and 38 as abovedescribed in relation to FIGS. 1*6)for removal of such sleeves and capsfrom such arms except for the rapping with the hammer.

To replace new Ujoint with steel lock rings located external of the lugsas 62 and 64, the yoke as 71 is placed with one outer surface of onelug, as 62, against lower arm 23 of frame and a cross as 33 is locatedas is shown in FIG. 8 with its arms in holes 63 and 65 of lugs 62 and64. A cap as 116 is then placed on one upper arm as 36 in FIG. 8,following which the yoke 71 and cross 33 are rotated 180 and anotherbearing sleeve, as 105 and its cap, as 115, is added to arm 35 as abovedescribed in relation to FIG. 9. Thereafter both bearing sleeves as 105and I06 and caps as 115 and 116 on their arms as 35 and 36 arecompressed by plate 158 against arm 35 and lock rings are replaced oneat a time on the bearing sleeves; following replacement of the lockrings the pressure by plate 158 on the caps is released.

. TABLE I DIMENSIONS OF APPARATUS I9 Inches Height Bottom of 23 to topof 24 in FIG. I Length Left of 2| to right of 22in FIG. I Width Left toright of arm 2i in FIG. 7 Thickness of arm 2I as shown in FIG. IThickness of arms 22,23,24 as shown in FIG. I Screw 54 length; top of 55to bottom of 57 as in FIG. 4 Screw I54 length; top of I55 to top of I58as in FIG. 4 Screw 54 and 154 Outside diameter in FIG.

4 1 Height of casing 34 left end of 64 in FIG. I to right end of 62 Lug64 Width top to bottom as in FIG. I I Lug 64 Thickness left to right asin FIG. I Sleeve II7 length left to right as in FIG. 2

Sleeve I17 width top to bottom as in FIG. 2 Sleeve I17 Width of groove95 left to right as in FIG. 2

While the apparatus and process herein are disclosed for freeing bearingsleeves from their supports in U- joints in which such sleeves are heldby nylon lock rings it is within the scope of this invention that theapparatus and process are adapted for use to treat similar sleeve-likestructures located in similar supports therefor and held by lockingelements of equivalent characteristics such as but not limited to axles,stub shaft and trip arms.

I claim:

I. An adjustable press with vibratile characteristics comprising a. asturdy rigid resilient frame composed of a first side frame member, asecond side frame member extending at right angles to the first sideframe member and firmly joined thereto, a third side frame member joinedto said second side frame member at a distance from said first frameside member and parallel to first said frame side member, a fourth frameside member joined to said first frame side member and to said thirdside member, said frame having a width, a depth and a height, thelengths of the first and third members extending along the height of theframe, the lengths of the second and fourth members extending across thewidth of the frame, the depth of the frame being perpendicular to saidlengths, said side members being sturdy;

. said sturdy frame extending in one plane and structurally symmetricalabout a second plane at right angles thereto, a first press meansmovably yet firmly attached to the first side frame member of said frameand an anvil means attached to the opposite third side frame member ofsaid frame, the anvil having an orifice therein, the press means beingmovable along a longitudinal axis located along the intersection of saidfirst and second planes, said axis passing through the opening of saidorifice, said first press means comprising a rigid compression memberwhich is extended towards said anvil on one side of said frame and has asolid head thereon which extends beyond said frame in the oppositedirection;

c. the first said frame member having a thickness extending along thewidth of the frame, and a depth, the thickness of the first frame memberbeing less than the depth of said first member; the depth of the firstmember being less than its length;

. said fourth frame side member being parallel to the second side memberand having the same tensile strength as said second frame side memberand said second and fourth frame members being equispaced from saidlongitudinal axis, said first side member being parallel to the thirdside member and being bendable symmetrically about said second plane andalong said longitudinal axis; and

e. said first press means comprises a rigid solid threaded staff with asolid head and which staff is threadedly engaged on two sides thereofwith said first side frame member and, with said first side framemember, forming a vibrating structure with an audible vibrationfrequency, said anvil being located on said third frame side member.

2. Apparatus as in claim I wherein said frame members are metal and thefirst side frame member vibrates with a frequency at least two octavesabove middle C along said longitudinal axis.

3. Apparatus as in claim I wherein a second press means is movably yetfirmly attached to said second frame means for movement along an axiswhich lies at the intersection of a third plane perpendicular to saidfirst plane and to said second plane and said first and third frame sidemembers being substantially unchanged dimensionally by tensile stressapplied thereto by said second press means.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein there is a hole in the anvil and ahole in the first member and each are substantially the same size anddistance from the second frame member.

l l =l

1. An adjustable press with vibratile chaRacteristics comprising a. asturdy rigid resilient frame composed of a first side frame member, asecond side frame member extending at right angles to the first sideframe member and firmly joined thereto, a third side frame member joinedto said second side frame member at a distance from said first frameside member and parallel to first said frame side member, a fourth frameside member joined to said first frame side member and to said thirdside member, said frame having a width, a depth and a height, thelengths of the first and third members extending along the height of theframe, the lengths of the second and fourth members extending across thewidth of the frame, the depth of the frame being perpendicular to saidlengths, said side members being sturdy; b. said sturdy frame extendingin one plane and structurally symmetrical about a second plane at rightangles thereto, a first press means movably yet firmly attached to thefirst side frame member of said frame and an anvil means attached to theopposite third side frame member of said frame, the anvil having anorifice therein, the press means being movable along a longitudinal axislocated along the intersection of said first and second planes, saidaxis passing through the opening of said orifice, said first press meanscomprising a rigid compression member which is extended towards saidanvil on one side of said frame and has a solid head thereon whichextends beyond said frame in the opposite direction; c. the first saidframe member having a thickness extending along the width of the frame,and a depth, the thickness of the first frame member being less than thedepth of said first member; the depth of the first member being lessthan its length; d. said fourth frame side member being parallel to thesecond side member and having the same tensile strength as said secondframe side member and said second and fourth frame members beingequispaced from said longitudinal axis, said first side member beingparallel to the third side member and being bendable symmetrically aboutsaid second plane and along said longitudinal axis; and e. said firstpress means comprises a rigid solid threaded staff with a solid head andwhich staff is threadedly engaged on two sides thereof with said firstside frame member and, with said first side frame member, forming avibrating structure with an audible vibration frequency, said anvilbeing located on said third frame side member.
 2. Apparatus as in claim1 wherein said frame members are metal and the first side frame membervibrates with a frequency at least two octaves above middle C along saidlongitudinal axis.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein a second pressmeans is movably yet firmly attached to said second frame means formovement along an axis which lies at the intersection of a third planeperpendicular to said first plane and to said second plane and saidfirst and third frame side members being substantially unchangeddimensionally by tensile stress applied thereto by said second pressmeans.
 4. Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein there is a hole in the anviland a hole in the first member and each are substantially the same sizeand distance from the second frame member.